1150GS electical fault help please

[Cob]

Hi all being new here I'm trying to find my way about and now find myself needing help from you experienced guys.I decided to fit some heated grips to my bike (owned for only about 4 weeks)the fitting went ok.I raised the tank enough to get the cabling to the battery and supplementary fuse box and all appeared ok until I noticed that the hazard warning switch light but not the hazard lights themselves was illuminated when the ignition was on and also the fuel/oil temp gauge back light also on with the the gear indicator showing first gear with the gearbox in neutral.Thinking I had disturbed a connector under the tank I removed it and cleaned all block connectors but still no change.I disconnected the battery and still no change after reconnecting.I'm affraid I'm not very good at anything other than very basic electrics and would appreciated any help resolving this problem. also if I fail is it ok to ride the bike to take it for repair. I have not tried to start the engine yet as the tank is stiil off. Indicators,lights,horn,hazards all work ok.
Thanks.

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

Ignore the Idiot lights and ride the bike to count your gears up & down: your gear indicator switch may be faulty.

 

[Cob]

Thanks DitchWater. I'll give that a try asap. unfortunately I am going to have a replacement hip in a few weeks so it may take me some time to get it sorted. I was hoping it may be something simple which it could be if it's the switch.

 

[flatdog]

Have you tried undoing what electrical work you did to see if the lights behave themselves?

 

[Cob]

Thanks Flatdog yes undone the wiring for the grips but still the same problem.

 

[MattW]

You've probably inadvertently disturbed the loom that feeds the clocks (runs under the tank up the right hand side of the headstock). There are some earth crimps in this loom that get corroded and can cause all sorts of weird faults as power gets back fed through other circuits.

If the connector blocks are clean and look ok as you say then locate this loom that runs to the clocks, carefully slit the outer sheathing and have a look for broken wires and green furry earth crimps.

 

[Cob]

Thanks MattW. That will be my next place to check. Going away Thusday and a lot to do before we go. I was hoping to sort the problem before we leave save me thinking about whilst away. Been chasing my tail for 2 days on this very frustrating.I will post my findings when checks completed.

 

[Cob]

Hi All. Wiring loom checked but everthing looked in good order(forgot to mention before the bike has only done 21000 miles)so fitted everything back but no change.Took it for a ride hoping the gear indicator would sort itself out but unfortunately not. A friend in contact with a dealer enquired for me,the mechanic checked two bikes in the workshop and confirmed what he thought, that the hazard button light was on constantly when ignition is on and he thought the gear issue was a coincidence and another problem.
Can anyone with a 1150 gs confirm these lights for me please?
As I haven't yet ridden this bike in the dark and this light and the RID backlight are difficult to see in the daylight I wonder if they have been like this all the time and gone unoticed by me.
Whilst on the road the display read as follows:-
Gear 1 is indicated in first & neutral
Gear 3 is indicated in second
Gear 5 is indicated in fourth,fifth & sixth (E)

 

[ChrisH Kerry]

Just had a look at mine - RID and Hazard light button both lit up with ignition on (headlight off). HTH

 

[warmshed]

sounds like the three wires, green/blue, green/black and green/white to the gear switch are faulty or have bad connection..

If its not the switch, to give indicated gear display you have,the blue/white wire is not connected or is broken or dirty.

Best of luck, Dave.

 

[Cob]

Thanks HTH, nice to have confirmation of the light issue.
Thanks for the info Dave I'm going away for a few days so won't be able to investigate any further until next week but will post my findings in due course.
Much obliged both.
Paul

 

[Cob]

Thanks everyone for the help given

Spent time today trying to cure this problem but can't find anything obviously wrong. Unable to follow the wiring from gear indicator switch to find the plug end without taking half the bike to bits by the looks of it, so will have to get it looked at by a dealer in a few months time when I'm riding again after the operation.

 

[fatnfast]

Take the tank and starter motor cover off. The cable routes around the back of the starter and attaches near the headstock. If you start from the switch unit its pretty easy to trace and check. The switch unit itself attaches to the back of the gearbox and is not very well sealed. With a little water mixed in it will give you all sorts of weird gear readings on the RID. Have you ridden in heavy rain or jetwashed the bike recently?
I think the manual says to remove all sorts of parts to get to the switch unit, but there is no need if your bike no longer has the cat fitted (which gets in the way). Its a pretty simple job really, but involves groveling around on the floor to remove it. You can also clean it up by peeling back the rubber sealing boot, and use contact cleaner etc. Reseal the boot with some bathroom sealant afterwards. This is best done with the switch removed of course.

 

[wessie]

Have you checked to see if the wiring loom that passes over the headstock is a bit too tight? On some bikes the assembly monkeys were a bit too enthusiastic with the cable ties. After a while the insulation on some of the wires wears through and causes all sorts of weird faults from clocks not working to the bike failing to start or run smoothly. Lifting the tank and messing about could be the action that finally caused the insulation to break. Remove the cable times and look for damaged wires.

 

[Cob]

Thanks Guys

I haven't been out in rain or jet washed the bike,only had it since the middle of February .I have checked all the wiring as best I can and for over tight zip ties but all seems to be ok there. If I can I will have a try at removing the switch and cleaning it before resorting to the dealer.Can anyone tell me what colour the plug is on the end of the cable as it will help me when trying to trace it back.

 

[ddraper]

The colour of the plug and socket thatjoins the wiring loom to the gear indicator switch lead is black; it's located (on my 1999 1150GS/ABS) under the tank on the left of the bike about 15cm aft of the tank-locating rubber bung. It's oval in cross section (W2.5 x L5cm) with the mixture of yellow and brown wires entering and leaving the block.

When you come to removal/installation of the switch itself, there's a neat trick with a zip-tie that makes it a doddle.

Good luck!

David

 

[Packer]

I had issues with the gear indicator on my 1150GS about 50,000 miles ago and was going to replace it. In the end I took off the silencer and cat, not difficult, laid the bike on its right pot on the lawn, removed the spring clip and pulled the plug out from the back of the gearbox. It was immediately apparent that it was full of road crap. Cleaned it out and it's still going strong.

If you are feeling flush go to the dealer, they'll soon find a list of parts that are required and charge you £70/hr to install them.

 

[Cob]

Thanks to both DDraper and Packer for the information, I haven't been able to investigate any further at the moment having just had a hip replacement,not likely to be able to work on the bike for a while but will post again at a later date.